Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a summer move for Rangers captain James Tavernier, according to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk. The potential transfer is part of contingency planning by manager Roberto de Zerbi, with the club's interest reportedly contingent on their league status for the next campaign. The 34-year-old right-back is set to leave Rangers upon the expiry of his contract this summer, concluding an 11-year spell at Ibrox.
Sources indicate that Tavernier has emerged as a specific target should Tottenham suffer relegation from the Premier League, with his experience and leadership viewed as valuable assets for a potential promotion push. The former Newcastle United defender, who has scored 144 goals for Rangers, is understood to be open to a return to English football, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also among the clubs monitoring his situation.
The report suggests Tottenham's interest forms part of a broader review of defensive options, focusing on players who can deliver immediate impact and dressing-room influence. Tavernier holds the record as the highest-scoring defender in British football history, with 152 career goals and 148 assists in 563 appearances for Rangers. His trophy haul in Scotland includes five major honours.
Tottenham's summer business is expected to be heavily influenced by their final league position. The club currently sits in the relegation zone, two points from safety with four matches remaining, following their first win of 2026 against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. No formal approach has yet been made for Tavernier, but his impending free-agent status and stated openness to a move have placed him on the club's radar.
Parallel reports have linked Tottenham with a move for Liverpool's Andy Robertson, suggesting a potential double deal for experienced full-backs, though that move is also said to be conditional on Premier League survival. The club's recruitment strategy is being planned for both a top-flight and a second-tier campaign, with Tavernier's profile fitting the latter scenario particularly closely. His potential arrival would signal a shift towards seasoned professionals as Tottenham look to rebuild, regardless of the division.
